Mandela Never Became A Prisoner Of His Past: UN Chief

United Nations secretary-general in his video message on Nelson Mandela International Day, 18 July 2018 said Mandela was held captive for many years but he never became a prisoner of his past.

‘Nelson Mandela was a towering global advocate for justice and equality. He continues to inspire the world through his example of courage and compassion. Nelson Mandela was held captive for many years but he never became a prisoner of his past. Instead, he poured his energy into reconciliation and his vision of a peaceful multi-ethnic, democratic South Africa,’ said Antonio Guterres.

‘On this day, marking the centennial of his birth, we commemorate Nelson Mandela’s lifetime of service. Rarely has one person in history done so much to stir people’s dreams and move them to action. That struggle for equality, dignity and justice continues. Madiba’s legacy shows the way.’

The Anti-apartheid South African leader Nelson Mandela died at the age of 95 on December 5, 2013. He was the most famous figure to fight Apartheid and his efforts resulted in facilitating South African transition from apartheid to democracy.

In the apartheid system of South Africa, the minority white people had full political rights and other people, especially the majority black people, were forced to live away from white people attend separate schools, etc.

The international movement of solidarity with the struggle for freedom in South Africa was the biggest social movement that the world has seen.